August 12th

Due to Louisiana’s education budget cuts, Grambling State University is operating with a $4 million shortfall for the current academic year, and the financial bloodletting likely won’t end there.
“This year, we have a deficit of over $4 million,” said GSU President Frank Pogue on Wednesday as he addressed an assembly of faculty and Grambling residents. “Over the past two years, our state education allocation has dropped from $31.7 million to $18.6 million. We have reason to believe there will be a mid-year budget cut.”
What’s more is that in 2011, $6.5 million of Federal stimulus funds will be pulled from the state education budget, Pogue said.

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In June, Maddie Price, Darby Guinn, Jake Kyte, Avery Woodard, Michael Davis and Josh Pate spent a week on campus at Louisiana Tech University’s Cyber Discovery Camp, taking second place and bringing home a $750 prize. Coached by Ruston HIgh School teachers Harryette Tinsley and Kyle Falting, the team immersed itself in events and challenges focused around the BOE-bot as well as cyber-themed scenarios.
The third RHS team to compete in the Tech camp, the group came within a couple of points of capturing its first championship title and recorded the highest Bearcat score to date.
STEM Coordinator Missy Wooley and New Tech @ Ruston AVE Instructor Kay Peters began training in July as coaches for the new Animation and Visual Effects competition scheduled for later in the summer. Both participated in weekend workshops at LSU-S in Shreveport where they learned about components of the AVE camp and built rockets, ultimately claiming the “Most Successful Launch” title.

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A book the size of “War and Peace” wouldn’t do justice with what Karl Anthony Malone achieved in his basketball career.
Which chapter takes care of which part of his incredible journey along the sport’s pathways?
Do you devote megapages to his defensive tenacity or to an offensive effort that left him with a No. 2 all-time ranking for most points scored by an NBA player?
Or how about several chapters reserved simply for the “pick and roll” which he and teammate John Stockton performed with machine-like efficiency?

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D’Anthony Smith had been in a National Football League mini-camp for less than a week and discovered quickly the changes he was about to confront as a professional player.
“Everybody up here is bigger and faster,” marveled Smith, a third-round draftee of the Jacksonville Jaguars. “You see all of this talent and you find out real quick that everybody is just as good as the next person. You get a quick wake-up call, that’s for sure.”
But Smith, with good quickness and size (6-2, 305) of his own, figures to make his presence quickly in the Jaguars’ defensive interior.

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Get ready for a Bearcats blitz on Friday.
The Ruston Bearcats football team will hit the streets of Ruston from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. selling their $15 Bearcats discount card. Buying a card and showing it to one of 18 sponsors during a purchase will entitle the card-bearer to various discounts from that establishment.
“People have already been calling and asking when the cards will be out,” Bearcats head coach Billy Laird said. “We’re fortunate to have some great sponsors who are offering some good discounts. Everybody’s looking to save a little in this day and age, and this way they can help out the Bearcats, too. We have some new uniforms, and these cards play a big role in helping us do those kinds of things.”

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They probably don’t think about the chance of destroying their bodies, careers and families. The first snort, puff or injection could be just an experiment.
In recent months, Lincoln Parish has seen more arrests for “harder” drugs, such as heroine and methamphetamine. Whether it’s the usage or just law enforcement efforts that are increasing cannot be certain.
However, there are about a thousand reasons to make sure some of these drugs never fall into the hands of anyone in our parish. If nothing else, the physical effects could dissuade many young people from trying meth — a very addictive stimulant made from icky household chemicals such as fertilizer, drain cleaner, batteries and other things most people older than two wouldn’t want to consume.

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With the construction of bike paths in various areas throughout Ruston and the active presence of the Piney Hills Cyclists, it’s apparent that biking is a popular activity in the city. It should come as no surprise. Not only is cycling a green way to get around and a fun pastime that can include group activities, it is also a great cardiovascular workout that can help to control blood pressure. With cardiovascular fitness comes the reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Cycling is said to also alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. It is even said to be an effective treatment for diabetes and cancer in those who have been diagnosed with these ailments.
An obvious benefit of regular cycling is the physical result. Cycling helps to tone upper thigh muscles, the backside and calf muscles and trims body fat.
Because of these overall health benefits, more people should take up cycling in their spare time. Those who are too timid to take to the street might try a stationary bike at home or at the gym. But people who want to hit the open road should follow these key safety tips from yieldtolife.org:

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August 11th

Lincoln Parish residents will determine in November whether they wish to continue to fund the parish library at the current rate for the next 10 years.
Approximately 95 percent of the library’s budget is funded through property taxes.
During their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, police jurors called for a Nov. 2 election to keep the millage to support the library at 5.99 mills.
“This is not an increase (in property taxes), so people need to vote for it,” Juror Joe Henderson said. “It’s no extra money out of their pockets.”

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Lincoln Parish School System Superintendent Danny Bell had something to say before school board members began discussing whether to pay for a new athletic field house at Ruston High School to replace the existing one.
“I’m going to ask the board to approve me an increment of Rogaine. I think a hair is going to fall out on this topic,” Bell said, but only in jest.
The school’s current athletic field house, which is on the east side of the football stadium, is 50 years old and too small to meet the needs of the current number of athletes at the school. Therefore, a new one is needed, said football coach and athletics director Billy Laird.

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Area boys and girls will have an opportunity to showcase their throwing and kicking skills on Sept. 11.
For the second year in a row, Ruston Parks and Recreation will present the National Football League Punt, Pass and Kick Program for youth ages 8-15. The competition is free, and participants will vie for a winning spot in their age groups.
Judging for punting and kicking are based on distance, and passing is judged on distance and accuracy of the throw.

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